Scotland beat Georgia after 100-minute delay

Scotland maintained their perfect record in Group A of Euro 2024 qualifying with a 2-0 win over Georgia – after a delay of around 100 minutes.

Torrential rain forced a lengthy suspension to play at Hampden Park with the game abandoned after just 10 minutes before eventually resuming at 9.35pm local time.

The game kicked off under heavy rainfall and with players splashing around on a pitch that was heavily waterlogged.

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Scotland nevertheless found an early opener through Callum McGregor, who hammered home a low shot after six minutes to send the Tartan Army heading towards a fourth consecutive Group A victory.

But play was soon called to a halt due to the unplayable condition of the pitch, and both teams filed down the tunnel and back to their changing rooms.

A lengthy delay ensued, during which Hungarian referee Istvan Vad carefully inspected the pitch as ground staff worked furiously to brush away the surface water.

Eventually, the game looked set to resume at 9.15pm and the Scotland players returned to the pitch.

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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 20: Scotland’s Ryan Porteous and Georgia’s Luka Gagnidze during a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier between Scotland and Georgia at Hampden Park, on June 20, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

However, the Georgia squad did not reappear and there was confusion about whether the game would go ahead again.

An announcement was then made that the game would resume at 9.30pm – around the time it was originally due to finish – but it took until 9.35pm for a ball to be kicked.

It was worth the wait for the hosts as Scott McTominay doubled the advantage two minutes after the restart.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a penalty in stoppage-time for Georgia, as Steve Clarke’s side moved eight points clear at the top of the pool.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 20: Scotland’s Ryan Porteous and Georgia’s Luka Gagnidze during a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier between Scotland and Georgia at Hampden Park, on June 20, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

Wins over Cyprus and Spain in March got them off to a perfect start, before a stunning late comeback against Norway on Saturday made it three wins from three.

They now have 12 points, a remarkable eight clear of Georgia who have a game in hand.

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